For over a century, Pakistan's criminal justice system has functioned under the shadow of colonial-era legislation. Enacted during British rule, the Prisons Act of 1894 and the Prisoners Act of 1900 — alongside the Pakistan Penal Code (1860) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (1898) — have shaped the country's correctional framework.

These laws were not conceived to rehabilitate, but rather to control and suppress. They emphasised deterrence over reform, discipline over dignity, and control over care — laying the foundation for a prison system that often dehumanises rather than rehabilitates.

This legacy has resulted in institutional practices that treat inmates as burdens rather than individuals with the potential for reintegration into society. Harsh incarceration conditions, systemic neglect and overcrowding remain the norm, with prisoners frequently denied access to even basic healthcare and education.

The situation is particularly dire for vulnerable groups — juveniles, women, and individuals with mental health conditions — who........

© The Express Tribune